Review & Photography by Manny Manson for MPM
So, another venture into the torture that is Birmingham. A major UK city, held to ransom by its antique road network and it’s in ability to handle the huge volume of vehicles that call it home. Heading through the roadworks and frustrated commuters, I’m once again heading for the O2 Institute deep within the beating heart of this frustrated metropolis, why you might ask, a good question. Tonight, the institute is hosting SKYND.
On the under card is a band I first saw back in March 2022. A Shoegaze Goth Rock collective simply known as Zetra; a band formed in 2018 when their musical journey didn’t fit any of the ‘heavier’ projects that they were currently involved with.
As time ticks on we wait, the O2 Institute 2 hall is like a dimly lit cavern, you know the type where shadows dance and whispers linger, Zetra—a collective force shrouded in mystery and cloaked in the enigmatic allure of Shoegaze metal, delay their appearance from the times given to the staff, the audience chattering amongst themselves as they wait for this, an otherworldly experience, as they do so the atmosphere thickens with anticipation as well as the dreaded ‘fog’.
The stage, a canvas painted in shades of obsidian, sets the visual tone for the evening, it’s going to be one of darkness. A pair of silhouetted figures clad in black monk-like robes glide out without parade, and take their positions, creating an air of ritualistic solemnity, a haunting tone plays as they do so. The crowd hushed as haunting vocals pierced the darkness, echoing through the venue like ethereal whispers from another realm as Zetra’s sonic soundscape unfolds before the collected congregation.
With each strum of the melodic guitar, key press of the keyboard segued with the rumbling drum machine and bass loop all helping to weave a spellbinding web of surreal sounds that ensnared the senses. The guitar, an instrument of both elegance and distortion, resonates with a haunting beauty that rises above the boundaries of conventional genres. Barefoot and connected to the instrument in a primal dance, Zetra’s guitarist becomes a vessel for the ethereal sounds that emanate forth from the strings of his instrument.
Added to the mystique is the lack of spoken word, there is no communicating with the collective of fans, Zetra, there face’s painted and partly hidden from view, seemingly oblivious to enigmatic ensemble gathered before them as they recite their ritualised offerings. The visages of the band members becoming both a mask and a revelation, hinting at the depth of their sonic journey as we sailed through their set.
The red back lighting bathes the stage in an ethereal glow, the figures of Zetra, silhouetted upon risers add a sense of theatrical grandeur, towering over the crowd like priests on a raised dais. Each note played seems to carve its own path through the darkness, a sonic dagger cutting through the veil that separated reality from the unknown.
One standout moment of the evening was the performance of “Angel Cries.” The song, a masterpiece of sorrow and longing, unfolded with a slow and deliberate pace. The vocals, a haunting lament, soared above the melodic guitar like a wailing spirit. The apposition of light and shadow within the song creates an emotional depth that resonates around the cave like basement venue.
Zetra’s ability to conjure a mesmerizing fusion of Shoegaze and metal is on full display, captivating the audience with a sonic alchemy that defies easy categorization. The barefoot guitarist’s connection to the strings seem to channel the very essence of the music, grounding the ethereal sounds in a tangible and raw energy as it spins its way around the haunting sounds emanating from the keys.
In the aftermath of the performance, as the echoes of the final chords lingered in the air, Zetra leave the stage as they arrived, their mystique intact, they down tools and simply slipped into the darkness that had surrounded their set, that the collective had created, it was not just a musical experience, but more a journey into the shadows where haunting vocals, melodic guitars, and a touch of the supernatural converged in a spellbinding display of sonic sorcery. Zetra have painted a canvas of sound, and the audience, entranced and transformed, were left to ponder the lingering mysteries of the night as the dying sounds left by the haunting priests die out, slowly.
As the sounds fade, the crew are in and clearing the decks ready for the main act. But first a bit about tonight’s headliners
Skynd, the enigmatic musical project that combines dark electronic sounds with haunting visuals, emerged onto the music scene in recent years, captivating audiences with their unique blend of music and storytelling. Formed by the duo Skynd and Father, the project brings together music and crime storytelling, creating a chilling and immersive experience for listeners.
The history of Skynd is symbolised by a deliberate shroud of mystery, the band members choosing to remain somewhat anonymous, allowing the focus to be on the music and the macabre narratives they explore. Skynd, the vocalist, delivers haunting vocals that complement the atmospheric and industrial-inspired music produced by Father.
While Skynd doesn’t conform to the traditional structure of a band with a long history, their impact has been felt through their captivating releases. They gained attention with their debut single “Elisa Lam” in 2018, a song inspired by the mysterious death of a Canadian student at the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles. The track sets the tone for their distinctive approach, blending true crime narratives with electronic and industrial elements.
Skynd’s song writing revolves around the aforementioned infamous true crime stories, exploring the darker aspects of human behaviour and the mystery’s surrounding each of the high-profile cases. Each release is accompanied by visually striking video that enhances the storytelling aspect of their music.
Skynd hasn’t released a full-length album to date, but the duo have continued to release a series of singles and EPs, each delving into a different true crime narrative. Notable tracks include “Gary Heidnik” and “Jim Jones.”
The visual component of Skynd’s work is a crucial element of their identity, with music videos and promotional imagery contributing to the overall immersive experience. The dark and unsettling visuals complement the eerie atmosphere created by their music, driven by their chosen narrative.
Skynd’s ability to blur the lines between music, storytelling, and visual art has garnered them a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Their unique approach to music and thematic exploration sets them apart as a boundary-pushing force in the realm of dark electronic and industrial music.
And so it begins, wrapped in darkness and intrigue, tonight’s live show being the first of only four being played in the U.K.
The air is hanging heavy with anticipation in the smoke-filled venue, a clandestine gathering of eager fans packed in tight, ready to delve into the dark and menacing world of SKYND. The stage was bathed in brooding lights, casting an ominous glow that hinted at the unsettling journey about to unfold.
Father, the mysterious figure behind the industrial soundscapes, and an anonymous third member on drums took their places, shrouded in shadows. The atmosphere crackled with an unsettling energy as the haunting opening chords of “Richard Ramirez” sliced through the air. The song, a chilling recount of the Valley Intruder’s heinous acts, enveloped the audience in a sonic embrace that resonated with the macabre.
SKYND’s set continued to unravel a series of musical narratives, each one a dark tale etched in the annals of true crime. “Elisa Lam,” the band’s first single, paints a vivid picture of the Canadian-Chinese woman’s mysterious disappearance and tragic discovery in a water tank at one the ‘Main’ Hotels in LA. The lyrical style is a visceral storytelling, drawing the audience into the haunting details of Lam’s final moments.
“Michelle Carter” unfolds as a brutal account of manipulation and mental illness, capturing the disturbing essence of a tragic real-life story. The lyrics weave a narrative that exposed the darkness within human relationships, the music serving as an unsettling backdrop to the tale of her command over her partner and getting him to commit suicide in a parking lot.
The exploration of infamous killers continued with “Robert Hansen,” delving into the chilling deeds of the Alaskan serial killer known as ‘the Butcher Baker.’ SKYND’s lyrical style proved to be both evocative and disturbing, immersing the audience in the psychological abyss of Hansen’s crimes where he’d actually hunt his victims down in the Alaskan wilderness. Her haunting vocal tones changing as she shares the word those gathered, some singing along, others hanging on every word.
“Bianca Devins” peeled back the layers of a horrifying social media-driven tragedy, a 17-year-old victim of Brandon Andrew Clarke’s heinous act of killing then sharing her pictures . The music has become a sonic canvas for the grim details, the audience transfixed by the eerie allure of SKYND’s storytelling and animated portrayal of each account.
The journey into the deathly abyss continues with “Aileen Wuornos,” an unflinching portrayal of the notorious American prostitute come serial killer. The SKYND’s ability to encapsulate the chilling details of Wuornos’ crimes through their lyrical style is both haunting and hypnotic.
As we continue with the German “Armin Meiwes,” also known as the ‘Rotenberg cannibal,’ unfolded as a macabre tale of voluntary victimhood and unspeakable acts of cannibalism and murder. SKYND’s delivery echoing the darkness of Meiwes’ deeds, creating an atmosphere thick with dread, the dread is enhanced by ‘Father’s’ musical prowess, delivering a dark n moody industrial grunge to go along with each encounter.
The song, “Jim Jones” delves into the harrowing events of the Jonestown mass murder-suicide, this self-proclaimed preacher orchestrated the deaths of 906 people of whom 276 were children. The lyrics and music weave a tapestry of despair and horror as the audience are drawn into the dark depths of this American preacher’s cult and its tragic conclusion.
“John Wayne Gacy,” the Killer Clown, emerged as a musical reckoning for the rapist, torturer, and murderer of young men and boys. SKYND’s narrative style plunges into the abyss of Gacy’s crimes, unsettling the audience with the grim details.
“Marshall Applewhite” continues the descent into darkness, exploring the tragic mass suicide of 39 people orchestrated by the deranged American cult leader. The lyrical style and the band’s sonic landscape yet again paint a vivid picture of the cult’s tragic end.
The chilling notes of “Columbine” echoed through the venue, a musical reflection on the infamous school shooting. SKYND’s narrative style expose the pain and horror of the tragedy, leaving the audience in a state of sombre reflection, of something that has become to frequent an event in modern day America.
“Edmund Kemper” the Co-Ed Killer, unfolds as an aural journey into the mind of the American serial killer, his gruesome acts detailed with unsettling precision. The band’s lyrical style delved into the darkest corners of Kemper’s psyche, one of Necrophilia, Decapitation and Dismemberment.
“Tyler Hadley,” the hammer-wielding murderer, becomes another haunting narrative brought to life by SKYND’s musical storytelling. The audience are confronted with the grim reality of the crime, the lyrics carving a path into the depths of the human conciseness .
The set concludes with “Gary Heidnik,” a final plunge into the abyss of the American serial rapist and killer’s atrocities. SKYND’s lyrical style and industrial soundscape again encapsulated the horror of Heidnik’s crimes, leaving the audience in a state of stunned silence.
As the final chords faded away, the venue remains cloaked in darkness, the echoes of SKYND’s macabre tales linger in the air. The audience, having experienced a musical descent into the depths of human depravity, are left to grapple with the unsettling narratives that have unfolded before them. SKYND has crafted a unique performance that transcends the boundaries of music, to play with your senses, thereby leaving a mark on the collective minds of those who bore witness to the haunting spectacle. A great if unsettling way to spend a school night. The narrative may seem a little strange to some, but it’s no different to watching those documentaries banded about on the satellite channels. Maybe not to everyone’s tastes but certainly thought provoking and enjoyable even if it is slightly macabre.
